Characteristics of Peripheral Lymphocyte Subset Alteration in COVID-19 Pneumonia

Abstract

Background. In December 2019, novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan and has since rapidly spread throughout China. We aimed to clarify the characteristics and clinical significance of peripheral lymphocyte subset alteration in COVID-19. Methods. The levels of peripheral lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry in 60 hospitalized COVID-19 patients before and after treatment, and their association with clinical characteristics and treatment efficacy was analyzed. Results. Total lymphocytes, CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells decreased in COVID-19 patients, and severe cases had a lower level than mild cases. The subsets showed a significant association with inflammatory status in COVID-19, especially CD8(+) T cells and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. After treatment, 37 patients (67%) showed clinical response, with an increase in CD8(+) T cells and B cells. No significant change in any subset was detected in nonresponsive cases. In multivariate analysis, posttreatment decrease in CD8(+) T cells and B cells and increase in CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were indicated as independent predictors of poor efficacy. Conclusions. Peripheral lymphocyte subset alteration was associated with clinical characteristics and treatment efficacy of COVID-19. CD8(+) T cells tended to be an independent predictor for COVID-19 severity and treatment efficacy.